In the Loop - Chapter Chatter

Sportsman-Pro

A new power Sportsman Class concept for consideration

by Marc Conolly, IAC 12302

I began aerobatic competition in 1986 after joining IAC while living in Midland, Texas.  At that time, Pitts models were the dominant aircraft.  All competition categories including Unlimited were well represented at IAC contests. (Photo 1 to left was taken in 1988.)

However, the emergence of monoplanes changed everything with ever increasing performance and cost.  Now, 35 years later, relatively few Unlimited pilots compete at local and regional contests.  Sportsman is the majority competition category.

There are many experienced aerobatic pilots who enjoy Sportsman competition without doing snap rolls and rolling turns.  These pilots strive for that elusive perfect flight depending less on horsepower and more on stick-and-rudder skills.  The Sportsman category has been and still is the IAC base.

The Sportsman category should evolve to meet current and future pilot needs by promoting equity in competition.  Sportsman is no longer the introductory category to competition aerobatics – Primary has taken that roll by changing from simple spin-loop-roll to something more like a mini-Sportsman.

For these reasons, I propose a new competition class called Sportsman-Pro.  Robert Armstrong first suggested this concept in his May 2020 President’s Page in Sport Aerobatics magazine.  I expanded on his idea for pilots wanting to compete in Sportsman.  The following summary is presented for consideration:

The Power Sportsman category would have two classes:  Sportsman-Pro and Sportsman.

1. Sportsman-Pro Class

• Pilots who have competed in Intermediate or above must fly Sportsman-Pro.
• Airshow pilots, either professional or amateur, must fly Sportsman-Pro.
• Sportsman pilots who had a Sportsman contest overall score of greater than 80 percent.  These pilots have the option to compete in either Sportsman-Pro or Sportsman.  (Source of Scores: IAC Contest Score Database)
• Three Sportsman-Pro flights:

1. Known – Same sequence for both Sportsman Classes.
2. Free – Use current Sportsman Free rules.
3. Unknown – Same Sportsman design rules as Known, e.g., no snap rolls, no rolling turns, no extreme inverted or outside figures, etc.  (Source of Unknowns: IAC Sportsman Known Archives)​

• One trophy competition (first place) to minimize contest cost.

      B. Sportsman Class

• No change from current Sportsman.
• Three Sportsman flights:

1. Known – Same sequence for both Sportsman Classes.
2. Known or Free – Use current Sportsman rules.
3. Known or Free – Use current Sportsman rules.

• Sportsman pilot’s choice to fly either class if the pilot had a Sportsman contest overall score of greater than 80 percent.  (Source of Scores: IAC Contest Score Database)
• Pilots fly only one Sportsman class per contest.
• Standard three trophy competition (first, second, third place).

Having Sportsman-Pro separate from Sportsman promotes equity in competition.  It levels the playing field by addressing pilot ability and experience.  Safety and preparation skills are also enhanced when transitioning from Primary to Sportsman to Sportsman-Pro to Intermediate.  In addition, providing safer transition up the entry competition categories is especially important with the recent influx of university teams.

Please visit the following online survey to comment on Sportsman-Pro: LINK to a short Survey where you can express your interest level in the Sportsman-Pro concept.

Depending on IAC membership response, next steps for Sportsman-Pro may include: 1) submit a new rule proposal before 01-Jul-2021; and 2) attempt a trial run at a 2021 contest via a “rules deviation” request.

Respectfully submitted,

Marc Connolly

Chapter 12 Denver

IAC 12302

Bio: Marc Conolly

Pilot Certificate Type:  PVT-ASEL

Total Hours:  940

Total Pitts Hours:  680

Aircraft Types Flown:  Piper Warrior, Citabria, Pitts S2A, Pitts S1D

Brief History:  Joined IAC Midland Texas Chapter in 1986 flying a Citabria.  Bought current Pitts S1D in 1988 (Photo 1).  Moved to Houston in 1990 and joined IAC Chapter 25.  Moved to Denver in 2008 and joined IAC Chapter 12.  Still flying Pitts S1D (Photo 3) after aircraft rebuilds, recovers, and modifications done over the years.